In this article we take a look at some infertility treatment options. Although there are several natural remedies to address the problem of infertility, it may be necessary for you to complement those with medical treatment for an expeditious and effective cure to your problem. Even then, all human beings are unique and there are no 100% guarantees when it comes to the miracle of life. Medical experts usually suggest a judicious combination of treatments to cure infertility evaluating each on a case by case basis.

Thus, you’d probably find the best possible cure to your infertility problem through a well-thought out mix of natural and medical remedies. While some of these treatments can be adopted in a systemic manner, moving from one to the next, there are others that can be adopted simultaneously for maximum impact.

Remember, however, not to overdo your efforts when it comes to taking one or the other infertility treatments that are available across the world nowadays. Diagnosing your problem is probably the best way to decide the most appropriate treatment if you’re trying to conceive.

Regulating hormones with fertility drugs

Fertility drugs are by far the most common and the first step in treating infertility. Common fertility drugs such as Clomiphene and Gonadotropins trigger the release of eggs in each ovulation cycle by regulating your reproductive hormones.

Using these drugs for three to six months before conceiving is found to be beneficial in many cases of infertility. One problem with the use of these drugs, however, is that they can increase your chances of having twins or even more. Hot flashes, mood swings, pelvic pain, abdominal bloating, ovarian cysts, headaches and depression, nausea, breast tenderness and visual symptoms are some of the side-effects of these drugs.

However, fertility drugs remain an affordable and effective option for treating infertility for a majority of the women faced with infertility.

Surgical procedures to fix genetic defects

Certain infertility issues are best treated with surgery. Laparoscopy and laparotomy are commonly used to open blocked fallopian tubes, get rid of fibroids, treat PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) and remove endometriosis tissue.

Like most treatments, surgery also has certain side-effects. Laparoscopy tends to cause discomfort in the back and shoulders. If the surgery is conducted under general anesthesia, you’re likely to feel nausea and a sore throat.

Soreness as a result of incisions in the abdominal region is also one of the drawbacks of these surgeries. Surgery is usually resorted to when fertility drugs fail to have a positive effect.

IUI for unexplained infertility

Intrauterine insemination (IUI) involves using a catheter, passing through the cervix, to deposit sperm directly into your uterus. IUI may cause a bit of cramping for a day or two and, in cases of simulated IUI cycles preceded by fertility drugs, there may be an increased risk of having twins or more, or developing Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS). Breast tenderness and mood swings may also result from IUI, which is most commonly used in cases of unexplained infertility.

Lab treatment with IVF

Another treatment option you may recourse to in case of infertility is in vitro fertilization (IVF). As part of IVF, eggs are taken from the ovaries and combined with your partner’s or donor’s eggs in a laboratory. The embryo or embryos formed by successful fertilization are then transferred to your uterus.

If multiple fertilizations occur, you may be exposed to about a 20 percent risk of having twins or more. You may also suffer from cramping and spotting as a result of this procedure.

Aiding fertilization with ICSI

IVF treatment is usually aided by intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), during which a single sperm is injected into a single egg. The resulting embryo is then transferred to your uterus. The only problem with ICSI is that it can be a painful process for your partner.

GIFT and ZIFT to facilitate natural fertilization

Used more commonly before the development of IVF with ICSI, Gamete intrafallopian transfer (GIFT) entails the mixing of eggs with sperm in a lab. This is followed by injecting the mixture into the fallopian tubes through laparoscopic surgery.

Zygote intrafallopian transfer (ZIFT) is similar to GIFT to some extent as it also involves the mixing of eggs and sperm in a lab. However, in the case of ZIFT, it is ensured that your eggs are fertilized and become one-celled embryos (zygotes) before placing them in your fallopian tubes through laparscopy. Recovery in these cases takes longer than IVF without GIFT or IVF without ZIFT.

Using donor eggs or embryos to conceive

IVF techniques are sometimes used to mix a donated egg with your partner’s sperm and transferring it to your uterus. Alternatively, you can use a donor embryo, in which case you’d need to take some medication before it’s transferred to your uterus. A donor, however, may be difficult to find and there’s also a psychological aspect to this treatment since the baby is not genetically yours.

Gestational surrogacy

Surrogacy, which is being chosen by an increasing number of infertile women these days, involves carrying of your embryo or a donor’s embryo by a gestational carrier till the baby is delivered.

The carrier legally gives away all her parental rights to the baby. The legal complexities of surrogacy can be quite cumbersome and painful and hence this option is usually taken as the last resort when all other options have failed.

Conclusion

The final choice of infertility treatment is guided by many factors, including the financial implications. Most women usually prefer to start with drugs and medicines and then move on to other treatment methods. In difficult cases, a combination may be required for successful treatment of infertility.

Unexplained infertility also requires something more intensive than mere medication for cure. There are a lot of resources out there and also other women who may be one of the greatest resources of all.

Lisa Olson’s Pregnancy Miracle video and e-book provides an overview of some of the best natural options available to cure infertility without side-effects. Food can be one of the best natural fertility boosters and you may find many health professionals bring up the subject of your diet and how it may influence your fertility.